Oppn Vows to Defeat Women’s Bill; Rahul Gandhi Points to ‘Number 16’

PM urges MPs to vote for ‘women in your own families’ as debate heats up

The Lok Sabha witnessed fierce confrontation on Friday as Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi declared that the Opposition will defeat the women’s reservation amendment Bill, terming it a “shameful law” designed to redraw India’s electoral map rather than empower women.

Referring to a cryptic riddle involving the date April 16, Gandhi told the House that “16 is the number” and the complete answer to the puzzle. While he refused to elaborate further, Congress sources indicated the reference ties to the government’s alleged hidden agenda behind the delimitation exercise.

Heated Exchange in House

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a strong appeal on X, urged all MPs to “reflect upon their conscience” and think about the women in their own families while voting. He called the legislation a historic opportunity to ensure justice for Nari Shakti.

However, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge rejected the appeal outright. “We will not allow the Bill to pass. We will vote against it,” Kharge said. TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee accused the government of resorting to unnecessary “drama” over delimitation.

Rahul’s Sharp Attack

Speaking during the second day of the special session, Gandhi claimed the Bill is a panic reaction by the BJP. He described PM Modi’s Thursday speech as “low energy” where “nothing was transmitting.”

“This women’s reservation Bill will not empower women. Bring the old law and we will support it,” Gandhi said. He alleged the government is attempting to “rejig” the political map, similar to exercises conducted in Jammu and Kashmir and Assam.

The ‘Number 16’ Riddle

When pressed by reporters later about the significance of the number, Gandhi remained evasive. “It’s a puzzle. I won’t tell the answer this way,” he said.

The remark sparked intense speculation, with opposition sources hinting at a major political disclosure. Meanwhile, Union Minister Chirag Paswan accused the LoP of “lowering the dignity” of his post by relying on storytelling and analogies instead of debating policy.

Key Meeting & Numbers Game

As the debate continued, a key meeting of the BJP was held in Parliament House under party president Nitin Nabin to finalise strategy. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to respond to the debate around 6 pm.

According to official sources, the government needs a special majority to pass the constitutional amendment. With the NDA holding 292 MPs and the INDIA bloc at 233, the ruling coalition is confident but short of the two-thirds mark without opposition support.

What Next for the Bill

The Women’s Reservation Act, 2023, was formally brought into force late Thursday to enable the current amendments. Voting on the three amended Bills related to delimitation and quota implementation is expected later on Friday.

For the latest news updates on the Parliament proceedings, follow this English news portal India. The final numbers will determine whether the government secures a historic win or faces a surprise defeat on the floor of the House.

PM Modi Slams Congress for Backing Infiltrators in Barpeta Rally

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of openly supporting infiltrators while addressing a large public gathering in Assam’s Barpeta on Monday. The sharp attack formed the centrepiece of the BJP’s election campaign ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls.

PM Modi Barpeta Address Sparks Row

The Prime Minister told the crowd that the Congress was not only shielding illegal migrants but also planning legislation that could punish anyone merely uttering the word “infiltrator”. “Congress is openly supporting the infiltrators,” Modi declared. He added that the party was “opposing action against illegal occupation” and pushing a law in Assam that would “jail even those who utter the word infiltrator”.

Congress Accused of Aiding Infiltrators

Modi’s remarks came as the BJP steps up efforts to retain power in the state. He asked the audience directly: “Should the infiltrators be sent back or not?” The question drew loud cheers from the gathering. The Prime Minister also criticised the Congress for its stand during Operation Sindoor, claiming the party “sang the song written, composed and loved by Pakistan” even as Indian forces acted decisively.

Illegal Occupation Row Intensifies

The infiltration debate has dominated Assam’s political discourse for weeks. Senior BJP leaders, including Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, have repeatedly accused Congress functionaries of sourcing material from Pakistani social media handles to target his family. Sarma alleged that Pakistan has shown unusual interest in the Assam polls, citing 11 talk shows on Pakistani channels in the past ten days that favoured the Congress.

Proposed Law on ‘Infiltrator’ Term

Modi warned that the Congress’s alleged plan to criminalise the use of the word “infiltrator” reflected a dangerous softness on border security. He contrasted this with the BJP’s long-term vision for development and said the Congress only worked in short cycles to enable corruption. The Prime Minister also touched upon the Women’s Reservation Bill, announcing that a special Parliament session would begin on April 16 after consultations with all parties.

Operation Sindoor Criticism Raised

In the same address, Modi recalled the swift success of Operation Sindoor and accused the Congress of undermining national resolve. He asserted that the people of Assam had already made up their mind on two counts — development under the BJP and a hat-trick for the BJP-NDA government.

BJP Eyes Hat-Trick in Assam

State BJP leaders echoed the confidence. Minister and candidate Ashok Singhal claimed the NDA was on course to win around 95 seats, with special focus on tea garden workers. The Prime Minister is scheduled to address two more rallies later in the day at Hojai and Dibrugarh to bolster party candidates.

Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi held a separate rally in Puducherry, criticising the BJP on different fronts, including alleged remote control of the Union Territory and plans involving the Karaikal Port. The contrasting campaigns underlined the high-stakes nature of the current political season across multiple states.

The Barpeta rally has once again brought the sensitive issue of infiltration to the forefront of the Assam election narrative. With polling just days away, both sides are sharpening their attack lines on border security and governance. Political observers expect the infiltration debate to shape voter sentiment in lower and central Assam in the final stretch.

PM Modi Barpeta address has added fresh momentum to the BJP’s campaign even as the Congress continues its counter-offensive on other issues. The coming days will show how these competing narratives play out on the ground.